AMIU | Joint effort to achieve a sustainable textile waste management in Genova

A significant push towards more sustainable fashion is underway in Genova through a collaborative effort between the local waste management company AMIU and HUMANA Italia, a non-profit organisation specialising in the recovery of used clothing. Since September 2023, AMIU has partnered with HUMANA to manage textile collection across its operational area, installing new distinctive orange containers to replace existing ones.

Early indications suggest this partnership is yielding positive results in Genova, with estimated collections reaching approximately 1 600 tonnes, equating to over 2.5 kilograms per inhabitant. While this figure demonstrates the effectiveness of the new collection system, there is still potential to align with higher-performing cities like Milan, which achieves 3 kilograms per capita. HUMANA's orange bins have been strategically placed throughout Genova, particularly in central and densely populated areas such as Sampierdarena, Cornigliano, and Sestri Ponente, with ongoing monitoring to optimise their placement. The service has also been implemented or expanded in municipalities within the wider Genovese area and the Golfo Paradiso. This collaboration strengthens AMIU's capacity for sustainable textile waste management, promoting both reuse and recycling, with further advancements anticipated from the EPR scheme set to involve producers directly from 2025. The upcoming approval of the EPR implementing decree and new European Ecodesign directives, which will prohibit the destruction of unsold goods, signal a pivotal moment for the textile sector, positioning the AMIU-HUMANA synergy as a potential model for a circular economy focused on collection, repair, and reuse.

Source: www.amiu.genova.it (in Italian)